BluJay wrote:...The site is so huge it's impossible to find the information im looking for. When I do find something it's not exactly what i need. All I want to do is dispute some late payments.
In each forum category there are "stickys," or posts that stay at the top of the list. One of these in the "Rebuilding Credit" forum here is called "Frequently Requested Threads."
This is a great starting point that will do as well as, or better than a purchased book. Also, several of us have logged our own credit repair as it progresses, so you can see what did or didn't work for us. I link my own journal in my signature.
As far as your late payment... You can call the creditor and have them send you a printout of your payment history. If you really weren't late, you can do a direct dispute with the creditor showing bank statements or cancelled checks that prove you were not late. If they will not delete after that, submit the same information to the CRA. If it is still not removed, you have a case and can sue them for money. If you were actually late, you are better off using goodwill letters, which are also explained in the sticky.
Repair companies like Lexington can't do direct disputes or goodwill letters, so they won't be as effective as you can be.
Just "lying" to the CRA won't get you anywhere. Think about it. If that worked, we would all do it and have perfect reports. Read the stickys for details, but in short, disputes signal the CRA to request confirmation from the creditor that the information is correct. The creditor sends an update showing whatever they have in their system for your history, which of course will include the late payment. Your report doesn't change, except you are one step closer to being branded a "frivolous disputer", i.e. a liar by the CRA and ignored in the future. Like the boy who cried wolf.
Good luck!
